Building collapses in Pakistani port city, killing 11 people

KARACHI, Pakistan – A multistory building that was being expanded in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi collapsed Thursday, killing at least 11 people, including women and children, officials said.

Several people were still trapped under the building’s rubble late Thursday. The building also fell on two nearby homes, causing casualties, police said.

Salma Kauser, a health official, said hospitals received 11 bodies and 33 injured victims after the building collapsed in the Golimar residential neighbourhood.

Police said the owner of the building was having a fifth floor added at the time of the collapse.

The narrowness of the building’s street was preventing rescuers from bringing in more heavy equipment, police and witnesses said.

Building collapses are common in Pakistan as many are poorly constructed with cheap building materials and safety guidelines ignored to cut costs.